JP2002369973A - Server for controlling system providing character through communication line, information providing system and use of electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server capable of heightening an attachment to a character and providing the chance to communicate with another player, an information providing system and the use of an electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: The character can be entrusted from an owner authorized to use the character to another user, whereby the experience of communication with another user can be reflected in the character. The chance to perform communication can be produced between the owner of the character and the user keeping the character taking advantage of entrusting the character, so that strangers can be provided with a site for contracting an acquaintance with each other taking the character as a contact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a server for controlling a system for renting a character via a communication line such as the Internet, an information providing system, and use of an electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional game device or game system, a character imitating a moving object such as a human or an animal appears, and the character performs various actions in a virtual space formed by a game program. There is something to do. The behavior of the character was determined by the game program.

[0003]

However, characters that appear in conventional game devices and game systems are:
It is common to an unspecified number of players, and the character's character and behavior are selected from predetermined predetermined types, so it can not reflect the intentions and emotions of the players, All characters have similar characteristics and behaviors, and have a problem that they are easily bored.

[0004] Some conventional characters serve as a medium for communication with other players, such as delivering mail to other players. However, such characters are simply used to deliver mail. The characters themselves did not trigger communication, nor did they create opportunities for strangers to get to know each other.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a server capable of further increasing the attachment to a character and providing an opportunity for communication with another player. , An information providing system and use of an electronic device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention makes it possible to exchange information about characters through a so-called bulletin board on the Internet, and to exchange information obtained from the information. Based on the above, it is possible to reflect the experience of communication with another user to the character by allowing the owner who is authorized to use the character to deposit the character with another user. Become. This allows the owner who returned the character to use the character reflecting the new experience,
You can enjoy the character without getting bored. In addition, depositing a character triggers an opportunity for communication between the owner of the character and the user who deposited the character, and provides a place for strangers to get to know each other using the character as a point of contact. It becomes possible.

[0007] More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) In a server capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication terminal device while connected to the communication terminal device via a communication line, character information relating to a character displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal device The communication terminal device is given authority to use the character information, and the character information is supplied to the communication terminal device as the data, and the experience in the communication terminal device is reflected on the character, and Storing the character information reflecting the experience in the communication terminal device given the authority of the communication terminal device in a storage area designated by a predetermined address; and storing the information on the stored character information in the communication line. On a bulletin board accessible through the website, and based on the posted information, And providing the stored character information to another communication terminal device that has accessed the server without any access.

According to the invention of (1), the character information that has accumulated experience in the communication terminal device to which the authority of use is given is provided to the other communication terminal device, so that the character information can be used in the other communication terminal device. It is possible to enjoy a conversation with a character or a game using the experience.

(2) After providing the stored character information to another accessed communication terminal device for a predetermined period, the other communication terminal device is given the right to use the character information. The server according to (1), wherein the server returns to the communication terminal device.

According to the invention of (2), the character having accumulated experience in another communication terminal device is returned to the communication terminal device to which the use right is given, so that the use right is given. Communication terminal device,
It is possible to enjoy a conversation and a game with a character using the experience of the character in another communication terminal device.

(3) A message from the communication terminal device to which the authority of use has been given is placed on the character information to be provided to the other communication terminal device. Server.

According to the invention of (3), the message added to the character information is transmitted together with the character information to another communication terminal device in the communication terminal device to which the use authority is given, so that the use authority is increased. It is possible to send various messages from a given user of a communication terminal device to a user of another communication terminal device via a character. Thereby, it is possible to provide an opportunity for the user of the mobile terminal device to which the authority of using the character is given and the user of another mobile terminal device to know each other.

(4) A message from the other communication terminal device added to the character information returned from the other communication terminal device to the communication terminal device to which the use right is given, together with the character information. (1) The server according to (1), wherein the server is transmitted to a communication terminal device to which use authority is given.

According to the invention of (4), the message added to the character information in the other communication terminal device is transmitted together with the character information to the communication terminal device to which the authority to use has been given, so that the other communication terminal device can transmit the message. Various messages can be sent via a character to the user of the communication terminal device to which the user of the device has been given use authority. Thus, it is possible to provide an opportunity for the user of another mobile terminal device and the user of the mobile terminal device authorized to use the character to know each other.

(5) In an information providing system for transmitting and receiving data between a server and a communication terminal device via a communication line and providing various information from the server to the communication terminal device, a display of the communication terminal device is provided. The authority to use the character information related to the character displayed on the section is given from the server to the communication terminal device, and the character information is supplied from the server to the communication terminal device as the data, and The experience in the device is reflected on the character, and the character information reflecting the experience in the communication terminal device to which the authority of use is given is stored in storage means designated by a predetermined address. And information about the stored character information is transmitted via the communication line. The posted character information is posted on an accessible bulletin board, and the stored character information is provided to another communication terminal device that has accessed the address based on the posted information. An information providing system, characterized in that the information is provided.

According to the invention of (5), the same effect as in (1) can be obtained.

(6) After the stored character information is provided to another accessed communication terminal device for a predetermined period of time, the other communication terminal device is given the right to use the character information. (5) The information providing system according to (5), wherein the information is returned to the communication terminal device.

According to the invention of (6), the same effect as in (2) can be obtained.

(7) The character information provided to the other communication terminal device includes a message from the communication terminal device to which the use right is given. Information providing system.

According to the invention of (7), the same effect as in (3) can be obtained.

(8) A message from the other communication terminal device added to the character information returned from the other communication terminal device to the communication terminal device to which the use right has been given, together with the character information. The information providing system according to (5), wherein the information is returned to the communication terminal device to which the use right is given.

According to the invention of (8), the same effect as in (4) can be obtained.

(9) Use of electronic equipment for constructing the information providing system described in (5).

According to the invention of (9), the same effect as in (5) can be obtained.

[Definition of terms and the like] "Character" refers to not only imitation of moving objects such as people, animals and plants, and robots, but also imitation of various objects around us, such as empty cans, and fantasy. It is a concept including a character, and it is particularly preferable to have an appearance that the user wants to own.

"Character information" is information including character image information and character character information, and is a concept indicating information for characterizing a character externally and internally.

Further, "use authority" is a concept indicating a qualification which is permitted to use character information.
This qualification can be given by the server to the communication terminal device,
Is determined by the server. This "use" includes:
The meaning includes "finite use" and "infinite use". “Limited use” is a concept that character can be used by restricting character information in terms of time, region, or content. For example, a communication terminal device Is displayed on the display unit for a predetermined period only, and is a concept corresponding to so-called "rental". In addition, the concept also includes a regional restriction that is limited to only those who live in a predetermined area, and a content restriction that allows only a predetermined function to be used. Also, "infinite use"
This means use in a state where restrictions on “limited use” such as time restrictions, regional restrictions, and content restrictions on character information have been released.

The "character owner" means a person who has the authority to use the character, and does not mean another user who has deposited the character information (so-called foster parent).

The "other user (foster parent) who has kept the character" means a person who does not have the authority to use the character and who temporarily keeps and uses the character. I do.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a character rental system having a portable communication terminal device 10, a portable game device 60, and a portable telephone 70 (hereinafter referred to as communication terminal devices 10, 60 or 70) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system) 1. In the character rental system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a portable game device 60 is connected to the public telephone network 2, and the portable game device 60 is connected to the server 4 via the public telephone network 2 and the Internet 6. Thus, various information can be received from these servers.

The portable communication terminal 10 or the portable telephone 70 can be connected to the portable telephone network 3 via the base station 5, and can be connected to the server 4 via the public telephone network 2 and the Internet 6. It has been made accessible.

The server 4 described above is used for each communication terminal 1
The server 4 manages the addresses of 0, 60, and 70, and the server 4 manages the address of each communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.
Can be identified, for example, information such as a password.

[Configuration of Communication Terminal] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. Incidentally, the communication terminal devices 60 and 70 have the same configuration as the communication terminal device shown in FIG.

In the communication terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
it) 12, ROM 14, RAM 16, and nonvolatile RAM
18 are connected, and the CPU 12
Each unit is controlled in accordance with a program stored in M16 or the nonvolatile RAM 18.

A keyboard 32 and a controller 34 are connected to the bus line 30 via the input interface 22. The display circuit 2 is connected to the bus line 30.
4, a communication interface 21 for exchanging information with the sound processing circuit 25 and the public telephone network 2 is connected.

The above-described display circuit 24 includes a display device 41.
Is connected, and the speaker 42 is connected to the sound processing circuit 25.
Is connected. Various information including a character to be described later is displayed on the display device 41 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

Further, a timer 20 for measuring a time such as a program execution time is also connected to the bus line 30. The signal for activating the timer is CPU1
When issued from 2, the timer 20 initializes the timer value and starts counting the timer value. When a signal for stopping the timer is issued from the CPU 12, the timer 20 stops counting the timer value and supplies the timer value at that time to the bus line 30. The date and time are set based on the timer value.

[Server Configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, a server 4 for controlling a system for renting characters via a communication network such as the Internet stores various data (character information and mailboxes to be described later) on a hard disk. ), A CPU 82, and a ROM 8
4, the RAM 86, and the communication interface circuit 90
And is composed of Hard disk drive 88
Is a program for communicating with the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, a program for unregistered user processing, a program for registered user processing, a program for processing interactive information, and a program for notifying a rental expiration date. , A program such as a program for processing rental completion information, the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
A program for displaying an image of the character, a program for depositing the character, which will be described later, and the like. By doing so, the server 4 gives the communication terminal device the authority of limited use of character information including the image information of the character to the communication terminal device, and a program for supplying the character information to the communication terminal device. And a storage medium for storing a program for displaying a character on the display unit.

With the above-described configuration, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 and the server 4 are connected via the public telephone network 2 or the mobile telephone network 3, and can transmit and receive data. That is, the server can transmit and receive data to and from the communication terminal device while being connected to the communication terminal device via the communication line.

In the following, the communication terminal device 10,
60 or 70 and the server 4 have been activated in advance, and the variables used in the CPU 12 and the CPU 82 described above are initialized to predetermined values.
It is assumed that 0 or 70 and the server 4 are operating normally.

[Overview of Character Rental System] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a system for renting a character.
Shown in In this specification, the term “rental” indicates that a character can be used in the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 regardless of whether it is charged or not.

The operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 designates and accesses the server 4 for renting a character. Thereby, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 7
At 0, guidance information about character rental is downloaded from the server 4, and the display device 41 displays the appearance and character of the character. A plurality of types of characters are prepared in the database of the server 4, and the operator
A character likely to be compatible with the user or a character of interest can be selected in the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

The operator who has selected the character performs a predetermined rental application procedure operation to apply for the rental of the character, following the selection operation on the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. Thereby, the user is registered in the server 4, and the server 4
If character information such as character image data and personality information and a program for operating them are not stored in the mobile terminal device 10, 60, or 70, the program is read from a database on the hard disk, and the application is made. Existing communication terminal devices 10 and 60
Alternatively, the character rental is started by transmitting the character to 70. The communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 stores the information downloaded from the server 4 in the RAM.
16 is stored. When the character is exchanged, the character information such as image data and character information of the character is rendered unusable in the portable terminal device 10, 60, or 70 by a method such as rewriting in the RAM 16. . Further, the program for moving the character information is provided in the portable terminal device 10, 60 or 7
0 is once written to the RAM 16, regardless of the rewriting of the character information.

The trial period is started at the same time as the rental of the character is started. During this trial period, the character can be used in the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 free of charge. For example, when the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 receives an e-mail or telephone call, a display that the character indicates that the mail or telephone has been received is displayed on the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.
0 is displayed on the display device 41, the character is asked to ask a question about the contents of the mail,
The display is such that the character invites the game to the operator.

During the trial period, restrictions on the character use function may be set. For example, a function that cannot be used, such as notifying the incoming call but not the incoming mail, may be provided.

As described above, in the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, it is possible to know in more detail what the character is by interacting with the rented character or playing a game. Can be. After using the character for a while, if the operator determines that the character is not compatible with the character or gets tired of the character, the character can be exchanged.

When the predetermined trial period has elapsed, the server notifies the server of whether to extend the rental period. If the operator wants to extend the rental period, the rental period can be extended by paying a predetermined number of chips to the server.

This chip is increased by interacting with the character or playing a game, and indicates the degree of interaction with the character. As will be described later, the number of chips changes depending on the number and time of the dialogue with the character and the result of the battle with the character. In addition, chips may be purchased in exchange for a predetermined amount. By doing so, even if the user likes the character, it is difficult for the operator to provide time for interacting with the character, or the operator is not good at the game, it is possible to increase the number of chips and continue. You can rent a character.

Further, when the extension period has elapsed or when the operator desires to purchase the character, the operator can purchase the character by paying a further chip. By purchasing the character, the operator can use the character permanently in the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

Incidentally, if the operator desires, the character may be purchased even during the trial period. In this case, a larger number of chips to be paid may be set.

[Explanation of Server Operation] (Determination Process of Registered User or Unregistered User) A subroutine executed in the server 4 is shown in FIG.

The subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is called at a predetermined timing from a previously executed main routine (not shown) and executed.

First, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
It is determined whether or not it is in a state where it can communicate with (Step S11). When it is determined that the communication with the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 is not possible, the subroutine is immediately terminated.

When it is determined that communication is possible with the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, the user ID issued from the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 is received (step S12). The user ID is identification information for identifying an operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, and is specified by the server 4.

Next, the communication terminal device 1 connected to the server 4
It is determined whether the operator of 0, 60 or 70 is a registered user (step S13). This determination is made based on whether the above-mentioned user ID exists. That is, the server 4
Is determined to be a registered user when a user ID is received, and is determined to be an unregistered user when no user ID is received.

If it is determined in step S13 that the user is not a registered user, that is, if it is determined that the user is not a registered user, an unregistered user process described later is called and executed (step S14). On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is a registered user, a registered user process described later is called and executed (step S15).

After executing the processing in step S14 or S15, the present subroutine is terminated.

(Process of Unregistered User) FIG. 6 shows a subroutine of an unregistered user process called and executed in step S14 described above.

First, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
Is transmitted to the information about the rental of the character (step S21).

When the guide information regarding the rental of the character is transmitted from the server 4, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 receives the guide information, and
For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the display unit 60 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is provided on the display unit 60 or 70.
"Welcome to the character rental site"
And a message prompting selection of character rental processing such as "return", "continue", and "select".

When the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 selects a desired process, the communication terminal device 10, 60
Information about the process is transmitted from 0 or 70 to the server 4.

Next, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
It is determined whether or not information indicating that processing is to be continued is received from (step S22). When the information indicating that the processing is not continued is received, the present subroutine is immediately terminated.

On the other hand, when information indicating that processing is continued is received, character selection processing is performed (step S2).
3). In this selection process, one character type is selected as a character from a plurality of character types. The server 4 prepares a plurality of character types as characters as described later, and enables one character to be selected from the plurality of character types. By performing such processing, it is possible to "select from a plurality of character types".

The information indicating that the above-described processing is continued constitutes “permission request information for finite use of the character information in the communication terminal device”.

In the above-described selection processing, a random number may be generated and a character type corresponding to the random number may be selected. In this case, one character type corresponding to the random number is selected from a plurality of character types.

The hard disk of the server 4 has
The database for character introduction as shown in FIG. This database stores images of a plurality of character types and messages corresponding to the character types. In the above-described step S23, the database is searched, and the image of the character type and the message corresponding to the character type are read.

Next, the read image of the character,
The message corresponding to the character is transmitted to the communication terminal device 1.
It transmits to 0, 60 or 70 (step S24).

When the image of the character and the message corresponding to the character are transmitted from server 4, communication terminal apparatus 10, 60 or 70 receives the image of the character and the message corresponding to the character, and performs communication. On the display unit of the terminal device 10, 60 or 70, for example,
As shown in FIG. 7B, an image of the character, a message from the character, and a message urging the user to select a process are displayed.

By performing such processing, it is possible to display a display image relating to selection on the display unit of the communication terminal device.

The operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 determines whether or not the displayed character is acceptable, and inputs whether or not the displayed character is valid by key operation. The permission information is transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 to the server.

The server 4 receives the propriety information transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, and judges whether or not to accept the character introduced by the operator (step S25). If it is determined that the introduced character does not want to be rented, the above-described step S
Returning to step 23, the character selection process is performed again.

By performing such processing, a character can be freely selected from a plurality of character types, and the character can be exchanged in the communication terminal device.

If it is determined in step S25 that the introduced character wants to be rented by the operator, a user registration process is performed (step S2).
6). This user registration process is performed by the communication terminal devices 10 and 6
0 or 70, or the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70
Information such as a mail address and a telephone number for communicating with the server 4 is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 7
When the server 4 receives these information from the server 0 and determines that there is no defect, the user registration is completed. By performing this process, the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 becomes a registered user from an unregistered user, and one user ID described later is determined for the operator.

After the process of step S26 is completed, the program of the character use system is downloaded to the communication terminal device 10, 6.
It transmits to 0 or 70 (step S27).

The program of the character use system includes a program for displaying a rented character in the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. For example, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
When a mail or phone call arrives, a program that displays an image that the rented character tells the incoming mail or phone call, or a character asks the operator based on the contents of the mail It includes a program for displaying an image and a program for displaying an image in which a character invites a game.

If the program of the above-mentioned character use system includes a function of finite use authority for use of a character, the communication terminal device 1
0, 60, or 70 manages the finite use period according to the program. With such a configuration, the character can be used only for a predetermined rental period in the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, and the program transmitted by the server 4 allows the server 4 to perform the limited use of the character information. The authority is given to the communication terminal device.

Further, as described later, the server 4 may manage the finite use period. In this case, when the expiration date of the limited use is approached, the server 4 transmits information to that effect to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, and the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 transmits the information based on the transmitted information. The character information is used finitely.

In such a configuration, since the server 4 manages the finite use period, the authority for finite use of the character information in the communication terminal device is determined. Further, since the information on the limited use period is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, the server 4 also gives the communication terminal device the limited use right for the character information.

The program of the character use system described above may be any program language suitable for communication and display, and is, for example, a program created in a programming language such as I-mode compatible JAVA (registered trademark).

Next, the server 4 communicates with the communication terminal device 10,
The data of the image of the character displayed on the display device 41 of 60 or 70 is read from the database on the hard disk and transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 (step S28). By performing such processing, character information can be supplied to the communication terminal device as data.

In the case where the image data is included in the program transmitted in step S27, the image data need not be transmitted independently.

Next, question information as to whether or not to inherit the past history is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 for the character information that determines the character of the character. As will be described later, the character information of the character is information on the character of the character formed based on a dialog between the character and the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

The communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 displays the question information transmitted from the server 4 on the display device 41,
Prompts whether to inherit the past history. The operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 operates the keyboard 32 or the controller 34 to select and input an answer as to whether or not to inherit the past history. Communication terminal device 10, 6
0 or 70 transmits this answer information to the server 4.

The server 4 receives the information indicating whether or not to inherit the past history transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, and determines whether or not to inherit the past history of the personality information. (Step S29). When it is determined that the past history of the personality information is not taken over, the process proceeds to step S31 described below.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the past history of the character information is to be taken over, the past history of the character information of the character is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 (step S30). By performing such processing, character information can be supplied as data to the communication terminal device. Also, character information including personality information is supplied to the communication terminal device as data.

Next, a database as shown in FIG. 9 described later is updated in the server 4 (step S31).
This database constitutes operator information of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 and information of rented characters, and is stored on the hard disk of the server 4.

After completing the above-described processing, the present subroutine ends.

The above steps S27, S28 and S2
By performing the processing of No. 9, the character information relating to the character displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device and the program including the program for displaying the character are supplied to the communication terminal device as data.

In the above-described step S21, when the server 4 transmits guide information for renting a character to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, the information is displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. FIG. 7A shows the displayed image. Incidentally, FIG.
Is an enlarged view of the display section of the mobile phone 70 shown in FIG.

At the top of the display, a message “Welcome to the character rental site” from the server 4 is displayed. In the center of the display unit, a character image as an example of the character is displayed. Further, at the lower part of the display unit, selection frames of “continue” and “return” indicating options of whether to continue the process or return are displayed.

In step S24 described above,
FIG. 7B shows a display image displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 when an image of the character or a message corresponding to the character is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70. Shown in Note that FIG.
7B is an enlarged view of the display unit of the mobile phone 70 shown in FIG. 1, as in FIG. 7A.

At the upper part of the display unit, a character introduction sentence from the server 4 "I am a cute character. I want to play with you" is displayed. In the center of the display unit, an image of a character for introduction is displayed. Further, at the lower left of the display unit, selection frames of “next” and “return” indicating options of whether to proceed or return to the next process are displayed. Furthermore, a “select” frame for selecting the displayed character is displayed at the lower right of the display unit.

In step S24 described above, the message from the character is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 7
FIG. 8 shows an example of a character introduction database to be referred to when transmitting to "0".

The left column stores character types, for example, character types such as "bullish character", "cute character", and "sly clever character".

In the center column, the names of the characters corresponding to the character types are stored.
Character names such as "chan", "o-chan", and "x-chan" are stored.

Further, the right column stores a self-introduction document from each of the characters. For example, "I,
□ It's fun to play with me. , "My name is 。. I want to play with you.", "I'm x. Maybe I should play with me."

The character introduction database also stores image data of the introduction character.
The image data is read out together with the character introduction.

FIG. 9 shows the database generated or updated in step S31 described above.

The first column is an area where the user ID is stored. This user ID is for identifying the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 or the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70. When the user registration process in step S26 is completed, the server 4 Assign.

[0102] The second column is an area where character IDs are stored. This character ID is for identifying the rented character, and is stored in step S2.
When the user registration processing of No. 6 is completed, the server 4 allocates the information. The character ID includes information for identifying the character type.

The third column shows the number of rentals, and shows the number of times the character has been rented in the past.

[0104] The fourth column stores the rental start date, and stores the date when the user registration process of step S26 is completed.

The fifth column indicates whether or not the rental of the character is during the trial period. For example, when the character rental is during the trial period, the value to be stored is set to “1” and the trial period is set. If not, set the stored value to "0"
It is set to.

The sixth column indicates whether or not the rental of the character is during the extension period. For example, when the rental is not during the extension period, the stored value is set to “0”, and At some point, the number of extensions is stored.

The seventh column stores whether or not the character shown in the second column has been purchased. For example, when the character has not been purchased, the stored value is set to “0”. When the character is purchased, the value to be stored is set to "1".

The eighth column stores the number of chips. The number of chips is determined by the registered user taking care of the character,
For example, the number increases when the user interacts with the character, plays a game with the character, or when the registered user purchases a chip.

FIG. 10 shows a time chart when the above-described subroutine of FIG. 6 is executed. The vertical line on the left indicates the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, and the vertical line on the right indicates the server 4.

When the above-described processing in step S21 is executed, character rental guidance information is transmitted from the server 4 to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70.

On the other hand, when processing is continued,
Information to continue is transmitted from the communication terminal apparatus 10, 60, or 70 to the server 4.

When the process in step S24 is executed, the server 4 transmits introduction information such as an introduction character image to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

On the other hand, when renting the introduced character, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
Sends information of the consent to the server 4.

Further, in step S27, the program of the character use system is transmitted from server 4 to communication terminal apparatus 10, 60 or 70, and communication terminal apparatus 1
0, 60, or 70, when it is determined that all of the programs have been received, information indicating the end of the reception is transmitted to the communication terminal device 1.
Sent from 0, 60 or 70 to server 4.

Further, in step S28, the character image data is transmitted from the server 4 to the communication terminal device 10,
Transmitted to the communication terminal device 60 or 70, when it is determined that the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 has received all of the character image data, information indicating the end of the reception is transmitted to the communication terminal device 1
Sent from 0, 60 or 70 to server 4.

In step S29, the server 4 transmits, to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, question information as to whether or not to inherit the past history of the character information that determines the character of the character. .

On the other hand, when taking over the history,
The communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 sends the information to that effect,
It is transmitted to the server 4.

[Description of Operation of Communication Terminal Device] (Operation When Receiving Mail / Operation When Receiving Call) When the character is rented according to the above-described procedure, the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 Receives the mail, an image as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70.

At the top of the screen of the display device 41, a message from the character, such as "Email has arrived from Kanna-chan, read now?", Is displayed. In the center of the screen, an image of the rented character is displayed. Further, a frame indicating selection of “read” or “not read” of the mail is displayed at the lower part of the screen.

In this way, when the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 receives a mail while renting a character, the character informs the user of that fact.

Also, when the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 receives a call, a display is provided for the character to inform the effect.

As shown in FIG. 11, while the character is being rented, information indicating that the character is currently rented, such as "Rentaling", may be displayed on the screen. By performing such a process, “the display image related to the notification information regarding the limited use of the character information is displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device”. At this time, it is possible to recognize that the character making the incoming call is rented.

(Operation for Asking a Question from a Character) In the case of this embodiment, the server 4 sends the portable terminal devices 10 and 60
Alternatively, the characters are displayed on the display screen by the program downloaded to 70, and the answers from the operator are stored. The question may be a question randomly selected from a plurality of predetermined questions, a past conversation between the operator (registered user) and the character (input a sentence, or perform an operation from a predetermined answer). Or the character asks a question about the contents of the received e-mail. FIG. 12 shows a display example of the display screen when the character asks a question about the content of the received mail. This FIG.
As shown in, the mobile terminal device 10, 60 or 70
Extracts words from the email it receives and asks what the words mean.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), at the top of the screen, what is "" normal line ""? Is displayed. The word “normal line” is a word extracted from the received mail. In the center of the screen, an image of the character is displayed. Also, at the bottom of the screen,
A frame for selecting “answer” and “do not answer” for the question from the character is displayed.

When the operator answers a question from the character, a screen as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. On the left side of the screen, categories to which the word belongs, for example, “place”, “food”, “game name”, and “person name” are displayed.

When the operator answers this, the character further asks a question, and likes or dislikes """at the top of the screen? Is displayed from the character. At the bottom of the screen, a frame for selecting whether the word indicates “like” or “dislike” is displayed. The operator
As described above, the questions from the character are answered.

The question from the character is registered in a keyword database, which will be described later, and is reflected in the character and the like.

As an example of a method of extracting a word from a received mail in the portable terminal device 10, 60, or 70, a method of selecting a word that is repeatedly recognized in a mail received in a certain period is used. is there. The mobile terminal device 10, 60, or 70 stores the received mail in the RAM 16 unless the user deletes the received mail.
The word extraction program executed by the program extracts words that are frequently used from mails stored for a certain period of time. As a result, words that are likely to be of particular interest to the registered user who is the operator of the mobile terminal device 10, 60, or 70 are extracted. By registering such words in the keyword database, words that are highly relevant to the registered user are reflected on the character and the like. Incidentally, in order to make it easier to extract words, a standardized mail format may be used.

(Operation of a game battle with a character) When a character is rented, a program stored in the RAM 16 of the portable terminal device 10, 60, or 70 causes the character being rented at this time to start. The display for offering the operator to play the game is made at a predetermined timing. This example is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13 (a), a challenge message from the character "Do you not play with me?" Is displayed at the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, a frame for selecting whether to “do” or “do not” in response to the challenge from the character is displayed.

When the operator receives a challenge from the character, the game is started.

When the game ends and, for example, the character wins, a screen as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed.
At the top of the screen, "My win, do you want to do it again?"
Is displayed, and at the bottom of the screen, a frame for selecting whether to "play" or "do not play" the game again is displayed.

As described above, the communication with the character is deepened through the notification of the arrival of the mail or the telephone, the question about the mail, the game battle, and the like. Also,
When the operator wins the game, the number of chips of the registered user of the mobile terminal device 10, 60, or 70 in the server 4 is increased. As described above, in the server 4, the fact that the operator (registered user) plays a game with the character on the portable terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is regarded as communication with the character.

(Process of Registered User) Step S
FIG. 14 shows a subroutine of a registered user process called at 15 and executed by the server 4.

First, the server 4 communicates with the communication terminal device 10,
It is determined whether the information issued from 60 or 70 is information indicating that the user wants to transmit dialog information (step S4).
1). When it is determined that the information is not information that the user wants to transmit the conversation information, the information for menu display is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10,
It transmits to 60 or 70 (step S42).

The information for menu display is transmitted to the communication terminal 1
0, 60 or 70, the communication terminal 1
On the display device 41 of 0, 60 or 70, an image as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

At the top of this screen, a message "Please select the desired process" is displayed, and below it, a list of processes, for example, "character exchange", "rental extension", "character purchase" , "End" is displayed.

When the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 selects a desired process, the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 selects the desired process.
Or, 70 transmits information identifying the selected process to the server 4.

The server 4 receives the information for identifying the selected process, and determines whether or not the process desired by the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 is character exchange (step S43). .

If it is determined that the process desired by the operator is not character exchange, other processes such as rental extension and character purchase are performed (step S44), and this subroutine ends.

When it is determined that the process desired by the operator is character exchange, the processes of steps S23 to S31 are executed. These steps S23 to S31
Is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and is denoted by the same reference numerals.

If it is determined in step S41 that the information issued from the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is information that the user wants to transmit the dialog information,
The server 4 receives the conversation information (Step S45).

The communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 transmits the conversation information to the server 4 at a predetermined timing.
For example, night or morning. For example, when transmitting at night, the dialog information for one day of the day is transmitted to the server 4. When transmitting in the morning, the conversation information for the previous day is transmitted to the server 4. By performing such processing, the R of the communication terminal apparatus 10, 60, or 70
Even when the storage capacity of the AM 16 or the nonvolatile RAM 18 is small, the conversation information can be sufficiently stored, and the server 4
It is possible to transmit the dialog information accurately to the user.

Further, the transmission timing may be adjusted to the movement of the displayed character. For example, in the night, a message from the character, "I'm sleeping now, I'm going to sleep."
After being displayed on the 0 display device 41, it may be transmitted. In the morning, the message “Good morning!” From the character may be transmitted after being displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

Further, the above-mentioned dialog information is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The items are as shown in FIG.

These items include the number of conversations with the character, the duration of the conversation with the character, and the number of responses to the call from the character such as “Good morning!” And “Good night”. The number of answers includes the number of answers to the call from the character, the number of times the character was ignored, and the like.

The item includes the number of answers to a question about a word included in the mail. The number of answers includes the number of answers and the number of unanswered.

Further, the items of the dialog information include the number of times the operator has called for the character, the number of times the character has played the game, the classification of the word asked by the character, and the like.

As described with reference to FIG. 12 above, the classification of the word asked by the character is a word extracted from the received mail, and is another classification of the meaning of the word and the likes / dislikes.

After receiving the dialog information in the above-mentioned step S45, the communication information processing described later is executed (step S46), and the personality information and the keyword information generated by the dialog information processing are transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. The subroutine is transmitted (step S47), and this subroutine ends.

(Processing of Dialog Information) Step S4 described above
FIG. 17 shows a subroutine of the dialog information processing called and executed in FIG.

First, the total number of conversations is calculated from the number of conversations already stored in the database and the number of conversations newly received from the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 (step S51). Next, the conversation time already stored in the database and the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 7
The total conversation time is calculated from 0 and the newly received conversation time (step S52).

Next, the number of answers to the call from the character already stored in the database and the number of answers to the call newly received from the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 are used as the call. The total number of times answered is calculated (step S53). Next, the total number of times the call is ignored is calculated from the number of times the call from the character already stored in the database is ignored, and the number of times the call newly received from the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 is ignored ( Step S54).

Next, the number of times the question about the word from the character already stored in the database is answered, and the question about the word from the character newly received from the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70, Then, the total number of times the question has been answered is calculated from the number of times the question has been answered (step S55). Next, the number of times that the question about the word from the character already stored in the database was not answered, and the number of communication terminal apparatuses 10, 60, or 7
The number of times that a new question was not answered from 0 and the total number of times that a question was not answered are calculated from (step S56).

Next, the number of times of calling for a character already stored in the database and the communication terminal 1
The number of times the character is newly called from 0, 60 or 70 is calculated, and the total number of times the character is called is calculated from the number (step S57).

Further, the number of game executions already stored in the database and the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70
Then, the total number of executions of the game is calculated from the number of executions of the game newly received from (step S58).

Next, character character setting processing described later is performed (step S59), keyword setting processing is performed (step S60), and the present subroutine ends.

(Character setting process) Step S59 described above
FIG. 18 shows an example of a database used for the personality setting process in the above.

FIG. 18 (a) is a database for defining a basic character defined for each character type. The basic personality is, for example, “winning”, “smart”, “cute”, “mischief lover” and the like. There are also five personality parameters, “extroversion”, “cooperation”,
"Diligence", "emotional stability", and "intelligence" are quantified to determine the basic character described above.

[0160] For example, for a character that is selfish, extroversion is set high and emotion stability is set low. For cute characters, coordination and diligence are set high.

The basic character defined by these five personality parameters is initially determined. As the character is rented and interacts with the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, the personality parameter is determined. Is changed. As shown in the example of FIG. 18B, as the character is rented and interacts with the operator, the value of the personality parameter changes. For example, when the conversation time with the operator is long or the number of conversations is large, the value of the personality parameter is changed so that the personality becomes familiar to the operator. Further, when the conversation time with the operator is short or the number of conversations is small, the value of the personality parameter is changed so as to avoid the operator.

As described above, the character of the character is gradually changed by the dialogue with the operator to determine the character.
The values of the two personality parameters are stored as a personality database as shown in FIG. As described above, the character of the character is gradually changed according to each of the operators who rent the character, so that the operator tries to take care of the character frequently, and can feel attachment to the character. It becomes.

In the personality database shown in FIG. 18B, a user ID for identifying the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 or an operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is provided. A character ID for identifying the character being played and the values of the five personality parameters are stored, and the personality of the character rented by one operator can be determined.

By performing such processing, even if only a predetermined number of character types are prepared, a character type having a character corresponding to each of a plurality of operators is generated. You can do it.

By performing the processing as described above, “determining the character information that determines the character of the character displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device based on the dialog between the operator of the communication terminal device and the character” It makes.

The values of the above-mentioned five personality parameters may be changed only within a predetermined range, for example, ± 1. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the personality of the character from greatly changing from the basic personality.

Further, as described above, the character of the character is formed in response to the dialog with the owner who rented the character. By performing such processing, when the owner who rents the character changes, the character formed by the previous owner is inherited, and the database shown in FIG. 18B is updated. It will go.

As described above, since the character's character is formed by dialogue with the owner,
At the beginning of renting a character, the character formed by the past owner is the character's character, and as the conversation time with the new owner increases or the number of conversations increases, the character's The character changes and becomes a character formed by a new owner.

By performing the above-described processing, when the character information that determines the character of the character is generated as the character information from the history of the conversation, the history includes the conversation of the past owner.

When renting a character, it may be possible to select whether the character has the basic character or inherits the character changed by the past owner. In step S29 in FIG. 6 described above, the determination as to whether or not to take over the past history of the personality information is to perform this selection process. In step S30, the determination is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70. The past history of character information of a character is character information corresponding to a character formed by a past owner.

(Keyword Setting Process) FIG. 19 shows an example of a word database used in the above-described keyword setting process.
(A). The example of the word database shown in FIG. 19A shows a database for one character ID, and the words for all operators who have rented the character from the past to the present are stored in the database. It is something to memorize.

The word is a word extracted from the mail sent to the operator who rented the character, as described with reference to FIG. 12, and the word category and the likes / dislikes classification are as follows. The character asks the operator a question about the word, and is obtained by answering the question.

The keyword database is generated based on the above-mentioned word database. As shown in FIG. 19B, the keyword database is obtained by extracting a predetermined number of words, for example, 10 words, which have been frequently appearing, from the word database. In step S47 of FIG. 14 described above, the keyword database is transmitted from the server 4 to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70. Thus, by extracting only a predetermined number of words as keywords, the communication terminal 1
Even when the storage capacity of the RAM 16 or the nonvolatile RAM 18 of 0, 60, or 70 is small, the keywords can be sufficiently stored.

Further, in the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70, it is possible to use the keyword to make a display to call the operator of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 from the character. For example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, using the keyword "Kanna-chan",
It is possible to display a message from the character such as "Kanna-chan has not received a call recently. Did you have a fight?"

As described above, by storing a word extracted from an e-mail as a keyword and displaying a message using the keyword by the character, there is a possibility of increasing the intimacy between the character and the operator. .

A word to be extracted may be determined by reflecting the character of the character. For example, if a cute character is rented, only favorite words are extracted. In this way, a message from the character using only the operator's favorite word is displayed. In the case of a bullish character, only dislike words are extracted. In this way, a message from the character using only the words that the operator dislikes will be displayed.

By performing the processing as described above, the character of the character can be included in the message, and there is a possibility that the character may be made to feel close to or be interested in the character. In addition, there is a possibility that the character in the virtual space and the operator in the real space can be inseparably linked, and information can be shared with the character.

When the character rental expiration date is approaching, the server 4 informs the communication terminal device 10,
Send to 60 or 70. FIG. 21 shows the processing at this time.

First, it is determined whether it is time to notify the rental expiration (step S81). This timing is a timing at which the rental start date recorded in the database shown in FIG. 9 is compared with today's date to notify, for example, a rental end date or a day before the rental end date. Is determined.

When it is determined that it is not time to notify, this subroutine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is time to notify the rental expiration date, information indicating that the rental expiration date is approaching is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 (step S82).

When the guide information indicating that the rental expiration date is approaching is transmitted from the server 4, the communication terminal devices 10, 60
Or 70 receives this guidance information and communicates with the communication terminal 1
For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the display unit 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is displayed on the display unit 0, 60, or 70.
In the display section of the message such as "I can play with me until today. I will play with me from now on" and "I can play with you until tomorrow. I want to play with you. "

By performing such a process, a message that the expiration date of the rental period is approaching is transmitted from the server 4 to the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70. To provide the communication terminal device with the notification information that the character information regarding the limited use is limited. " Further, the message received by the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 is displayed on the display device 41 on the communication terminal device, so that the display image related to the notification information regarding the finite use of the character information is displayed on the communication terminal device. Display on the display unit ".

As shown in FIG. 22 (a) or (b), a message reflecting the character's character may be displayed. For example, a bullish character is displayed with a bullish message, and a cute character is displayed with a cute message.

When the end date of the rental period is reached, it is necessary to prohibit the use of characters in the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. This processing is shown in FIG.
Shown in

First, it is determined whether or not it is time to transmit the rental completion information (step S91). If it is determined that it is not time to transmit the rental completion information, the subroutine is immediately terminated.

When it is determined that it is time to transmit the rental completion information, the rental completion information is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 (step S9).
2).

When the rental completion information is transmitted from the server 4, the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 receives the rental completion information, and the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 receives the rental completion information.
The value of the flag used in the program executed in is set to a predetermined value, for example, 1. This flag indicates whether the character is being rented, whether rental is complete,
When the character is being rented, the value of the flag is "0", and when the rental is completed, the value of the flag is "1".

When the above-described rental completion information is received from the server 4, the value of the flag is set to "1". If an attempt is made to display a character or call a character after the value of this flag is set to “1”, for example, a message as shown in FIG. 24, “The rental period has passed. Can't play with me anymore, but if you like, please sign up again. Then you can play with me again. "Is displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70. The operation of the function using the character is prohibited.

By performing such processing, the server 4 “gives the communication terminal device the authority of finite use of character information”, and “the authority of finite use of character information in the communication terminal device”. Stipulate ".

The value of the above-mentioned flag indicates whether or not the “limited use authority” has been given.
That is, the "limited use of character information is given to the communication terminal device independently of the program".

In this case, by displaying only the message without displaying the image of the character, it is possible to visually indicate that the rental period has ended. In addition, since the image of the character is not displayed, it is possible to cause a sad feeling to want to meet the rented character again, and to make the character want to rent the character again.

Also, the content of the message has been
It may be one that reflects the character of the rented character. By doing so, the operator can recall the character, make the character want to display the character again, and can motivate him to rent the character again.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the “limited use of character information” is the expiration date of the rental is described. However, there are regional restrictions that limit only those who live in a predetermined area, The content may be limited so that only a predetermined function can be used.

[Character foster child processing] In the case of this embodiment, the server 4 sends the request to the portable terminal device 10, 60 or 70 based on the request from the portable terminal device 10, 60 or 70.
0 is a character owned (either rented or purchased and the registered user of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 has the authority to use it) by another user's portable terminal device 10, It can be deposited as foster child at 60 or 70.

That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the portable terminal device A having the authority to use a certain character
When the character information of the character deposited in the foster child is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 10 (for example, the mobile terminal device 10) to the server 4, the server 4 stores the character information in a predetermined area on the hard disk in step S130. , Build a database for foster child. This means that "the character information reflecting the experience of the communication terminal device to which the use right is given is stored in a storage area designated by a predetermined address".

As shown in FIG. 26, this database DB10 has a write address AD on the hard disk.
1, AD2,..., And character information IN1, IN2,... Of the character deposited in foster child, and a message added to the character information and added by the owner (registered user having the authority to use). , And a message MS1, which is a message for posting the character information on a bulletin board (to be described later) and which is created by the owner of the character information (a registered user having the authority to use the character information).
MS2,... And user information ID1, I representing the owner of the character information (registered user having the authority to use).
When the deposit destination (foster parent) of the character information is determined, D2,...
1,... And a deposit flag for identifying whether or not the character information has been deposited at the depository (foster parent).

The character information written in the foster child database DB10 for depositing with the foster child is originally the owner of the character (a person who has the authority to use the character and owns the character by rental or purchase). (Character image data and character information (FIG. 18)) written on the hard disk for
Etc.), and a predetermined area (area for foster child) as the foster child
Is difficult to use even the owner, and while the character information is written to the foster child database DB10, the owner is written to the owner database. Use of character information and own mobile terminal device 10, 60 or 7
Any use of the character information stored in 0 is prohibited. As a method for making the character information prohibited, the server 4 sets a use prohibition flag on the corresponding character information in the owner database written in the hard disk, and sets the portable terminal device of the owner of the character information. For 10, 60 or 70,
By transmitting the character's use prohibition information,
A method of setting a flag for temporarily prohibiting the use of the character information in the portable terminal device 10, 60 or 70 (while the character is deposited in a foster child) is used.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the case where the database for foster child and the database for owner are separated in the server 4 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Then, a flag for foster child or the like is added, and when the flag is set, only the user of the depository (so-called foster parent) can use this information. In the case of such a method, the operation of storing (updating) the character information in the database for the owner means "storing the character information in a storage area specified by a predetermined address". It is.

When the foster child database DB10 (FIG. 26) is created in step S130 shown in FIG. 25, the server 4 proceeds to step S131 to post the contents of the foster child database DB10 on a bulletin board. This bulletin board is stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk of the server 4, and the server 4 stores a database DB for foster child.
10, character names and images in character information IN1, IN2,... And a bulletin board posting message MS written by the owner of the character.
1, MS2,... Constructs a bulletin board database DB11 shown in FIG. Incidentally, the bulletin board database DB11 is not limited to the one constructed in the server 4, but may be constructed in another server connectable to the server 4, and in this case, the server 4 may use the bulletin board as necessary. Communication is performed with the server on which the database DB11 is built.

[0200] When a user ID is transmitted at the time of access from among the terminal devices accessed via the Internet 6, the server 4 determines whether the user is a registered user based on the user ID. The authentication is performed in step S132, and the bulletin board database D is
By transmitting the bulletin board information which is the content of B11,
This browsing is possible.

FIG. 28 shows the bulletin board information displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device B (for example, the communication terminal device 70) that has received the bulletin board information. A list of characters stored in the DB 10 is displayed. When the user who sees this screen selects a desired character by keyboard operation or the like, the communication terminal device 70 being operated at this time,
Bulletin board posting message MS1 corresponding to the selection result,
.. Are read from the bulletin board database DB11 and displayed on the display device 41.

FIG. 29 shows a display screen of the display device 41 on which the bulletin board posting message MS1 is displayed. In addition to the image of the character, a message written by the owner of the character is displayed. The user who sees this screen determines whether or not to temporarily store the character (that is, whether or not the character will be temporarily adopted by the foster parent), and if so, presses the “YES” button on the screen by keyboard operation. Select by etc. On the other hand, when the user who has viewed the screen selects the “NO” button, the portable terminal device 70 selects information of another character from the bulletin board database DB 11 and displays it on the display device 41. Let it.

Thus, bulletin board database D
The user who has confirmed the information of B11 on the display device 41 of the portable terminal device 70 uses the image of the character or the bulletin board messages MS1, MS2,... Written by the owner of the character to determine his / her favorite character. As a foster child.

The selected information is stored in the communication terminal 70
Is transmitted to the server 4. The server 4 having received this information determines in step S133 shown in FIG.
At this time, the character information IN1 corresponding to the selected character and the additional information IN11, IN12,... Added to the character information are read from the foster child database DB10 and transmitted to the portable terminal device 70. This means that “the stored character information is provided to other communication terminal devices that have accessed the address based on the posted information”.

At this time, the server 4 prohibits the use of this information (character) by the owner by setting a use prohibition flag in the character information of the owner database (FIG. 18), etc. Character use prohibition information for prohibiting the use of the character sent to the foster child to the communication terminal device 10 of the present invention. Upon receiving the character use prohibition information, the portable terminal device 10 temporarily stores the character information of the character put out to the foster child stored in the RAM 16 or the non-volatile RAM 18 (only while the other user has deposited the foster child as a foster child). ) Is prohibited.

Thus, the portable terminal device 70 that has received the character information IN1 and the additional information IN11 proceeds to step S134 to store the information in the RAM 16 or the nonvolatile RAM 18, and as shown in FIG. The display device 41 causes the display device 41 to display the wording indicating that it has been deposited in the portable terminal device 70 and the additional information IN11 stored in the portable terminal device 70 at this time.
The additional information IN11 is a message or the like written by the owner separately from the bulletin board message MS1 written by the owner of the character for selecting the character described above. Only foster parents can see. That is, the additional information IN11 is a key for communication such as mail exchange between the owner who makes the character a foster child and another user who is a foster parent of the character. On this screen, a “Send Reply Message” button is displayed. When the user (foster parent) of the mobile terminal device 70 selects this button by operating a keyboard or the like, the mobile terminal device 70 causes the server 4 According to a program downloaded in advance from the storage device such as the nonvolatile RAM 18 or the like, a screen for reply is displayed on the display device 41 to prompt the user to input a message or the like.

This screen displays additional information IN1 from the owner of the character deposited in the foster child in portable terminal device 70.
1 is always displayed by selecting the “Send Reply Message” button on the screen (FIG. 30) in which the owner's user I is displayed.
D (ID1) is associated therewith. Therefore, the user (foster parent) who has kept the character displays the screen shown in FIG. 30 by keyboard operation or the like, and at any time, inputs a reply message or the like to the owner of the character and sends it to the owner of the character. It can be sent as information. The reply message includes the content MS11 of the reply message, the destination (user ID (ID1) of the owner of the character), and the user ID (ID10 of the user (foster parent) who keeps the character.
1)) are included.

Server 4 that has received this reply message
Moves to step S135 (FIG. 25), constructs a message box MB as shown in FIG. 31 based on the destination, message content, and transmission source information included in the reply message, and saves the message MS11. I do.

[0209] When the owner who deposits the character with another user transmits a message browsing request from the portable terminal device 10 to the server 4, the server 4 transmits the message together with the message browsing request from the portable terminal device 10. The message box MB (FIG. 31) is searched based on the owner's user ID (ID1), and the user ID (I
The message MS11 addressed to D1) is read and transmitted to the mobile terminal device 10. By the way, user ID
The relationship between the character and the address of the corresponding mobile terminal device is stored in advance on the hard disk of the server 4 at the time of user registration, and based on this information, the server 4 uses the character terminal's mobile terminal device 10 You can search for an address.

[0210] A message from another user (foster parent) transmitted from the server 4 to the portable terminal device 10 has the user ID (ID101) of the other user added thereto. Of the other user (foster parent) who is the depositor of the character, the user ID (ID 101) of the other user, and the ID (ID) of the owner who is the transmission source of the message. It can be transmitted to the server 4 together with the ID 1). Server 4 that received this message
Stores the user ID (ID101) representing the destination, the message content and the user ID (ID1) representing the sender in the message box MB.

When another user who is the destination of the message transmits a message browsing request to the server 4, the server 4 transmits the message for the other user in the message box MB to the portable terminal device 70. I do. In this way, the owner of the character and the other user (foster parent) who is the depositor of the character communicate with each other on the server 4.
Can be exchanged via the message box MB. Thereby, from the owner of the character to another user (foster parent) who is the depositor of the character, or from the other user (foster parent) who is the depositor of the character to the owner of the character,
Questions and various topics about the character can be exchanged by messages. By the way, FIG.
Shows a display example of a message addressed to the owner of the character from another user (foster parent) who has the character on the portable terminal device 10 of the owner. As shown in FIG. 32, also in the portable terminal device 10, the "send reply message" button is displayed on the display screen by the message processing program, and when this button is selected, the message creation screen is displayed. You. Then, after inputting a message on this message creation screen, by selecting an execution key (not shown), a user of another user (foster parent) associated with the “send reply message” button shown in FIG. 32 is displayed. The message is transmitted to the server 4 together with the ID (ID101).

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the message transmission processing routine S140 in the server 4. The server 4 first waits for a message or a message browsing request to be received in step S141. Then, upon receiving the message or the message browsing request, the server 4 obtains a positive result in step S142, and proceeds to the subsequent step S143.

[0213] In step S143, the server 4 determines whether the received message is a message or a message browsing request. If the received message is a message, the server 4 moves to step S144, and the server 4 sends the message together with the message to the destination user ID and the source user ID sent from the source.
D in the message box MB shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S143 that the received message is a message browsing request,
After authenticating that the source of the message browsing request is a registered user, a message addressed to the user of the source of the message browsing request is read out from the message box MB together with the user ID of the source, and this is read out of the message. The message is transmitted to the portable terminal device of the destination user (that is, the user who is the source of the message browsing request).

In this way, the original owner of the character and the person who deposited the character with another user and the other user (foster parent) who deposited the character exchange messages via the server 4. Can be performed, and it is possible to provide a place for communication between users triggered by the operation of depositing a character.

In step S134 shown in FIG. 25, the other user (foster parent) who keeps the character information has the character of the character and the other user (foster parent) through conversation with the character or a game match. It will reflect the new experience. In this case, experience with other users (foster parents) (FIGS. 16 and 18)
(B), the data described above with reference to FIG. 19) are temporarily stored in the portable terminal device 70 used by the other user, and then transmitted to the server 4 at a predetermined time, for example, every day.
The corresponding character information in the foster child database DB10 of the server 4 is rewritten.

As a result, the foster child database DB 10 of the server 4 is rewritten at a predetermined timing while the character is deposited with another user (foster parent), and the experience with the other user is changed. It is changed to the one that reflects. In this way, the changed character information is returned from another user (foster parent) to the owner in response to a request from the owner of the character.

That is, in FIG. 25, when the owner of the character transmits a request to return the character (character information) to the server 4, the server 4 proceeds to step S136.
In, a deposit destination of the character is searched for based on the owner's user ID attached to the character information, and a character return request is transmitted to another user (foster parent) who is the searched deposit destination.

Upon receiving the return request, the portable terminal device 70 of another user (foster parent) displays on the display device 41 that the return request has been made, and then prohibits the use of the character information of the character stored at this time. At this time, the character information (character information reflecting the experience and the past history) accumulated in the portable terminal device 70 at this time is transmitted to the server 4 and the foster child database DB 10 (see FIG. 26) is rewritten, and the character information of the rewritten character (the character requested to be returned) of the foster child database DB10 is moved to the owner database, and can be used in the owner database. State (the use prohibition flag is released), and on the foster child database DB10, The use prohibition state.

As a result, the character deposited with another user (foster parent) can be used by the server 4 only by the original owner. Then, the server 4 transmits the character information to the owner's communication terminal device 10 together with the use prohibition release information, so that the owner's portable terminal device 10 can use the character.

Thus, the character has been returned to the owner from another user (foster parent). At this time, the character information on the owner's database in the server 4 and the character information on the portable terminal device 10 are both those experienced while being entrusted to another user (foster parent) (character and personality). Since keywords and other histories are reflected, it is highly possible that the personality has a different character from that before depositing with another user.

Therefore, the owner can experience a new way of contacting the character due to the change in the character and the like, and can enjoy unexpected changes and the like of the character.

[0223] Once the character is deposited with another user (foster parent), there is a relationship between the other user and the owner.
A new communication connection can be made through the exchange of messages, and it is also possible to obtain an opportunity to meet other users through the character.

[0224]

According to the present invention, it is possible to deposit the character with another user from the owner who has been given the authority to use the character, so that the character can communicate with the other user. It is possible to reflect experience. As a result, the owner who has returned the character can use the character reflecting the new experience, and can enjoy the character without getting bored. In addition, the deposit of the character triggers an opportunity for communication between the owner of the character and the user who deposited the character.
It is possible to provide a place for acquaintance with a character as a contact point.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character rental system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server 4.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a system for renting a character.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine executed by the server 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of processing of an unregistered user that is called and executed in step S14 of the flowchart of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a communication terminal device 10 or 60 when guide information for renting a character is transmitted from the server 4.
Or (a) showing an example of a message displayed on the display unit of the display device 41 of FIG. 70 and (b) showing an example of a message prompting selection of a character.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a character introduction database referred to when a message from a character is transmitted to the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 in step S24.

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of a database generated or updated in step S31.

FIG. 10 is a time chart when the subroutine of FIG. 6 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 when the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 receives a mail.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display device 41 of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 when a character asks a question about the content of a received mail.

FIG. 13 shows a communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 when a character proposes to play a game to an operator.
5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display device 41 of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an unregistered user process called and executed in step S15 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 shows information for menu display in communication terminal device 1.
0, 60 or 70, the communication terminal 1
It is a figure showing an example of an image displayed on 0, 60, or 70 display 41.

FIG. 16 is a table showing items included in conversation information between a character and an operator.

17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of interactive information processing called and executed in step S46 of the subroutine of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of a database used for processing of character character setting.

FIG. 19 is a table showing an example of a word database used for keyword setting processing (a) and an example of a keyword database generated based on the word database (b).

FIG. 20 shows a communication terminal device 10 or 6 using a keyword.
It is a figure which shows the example of a display when a character calls to the operator of 0 or 70.

FIG. 21 shows that when the character rental expiration date is approaching, the server 4 informs the communication terminal devices 10 and 6 of the expiration date.
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the process transmitted to 0 or 70.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state in which the communication terminal device 10, the guide information indicating that the rental period is approaching is transmitted from the server 4.
60 or 70 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device 10, 60 or 70 after receiving the guide information.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a process when a rental period ends.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device 10, 60, or 70 when the rental completion information is received from the server 4.

FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing a processing procedure when depositing a character with another user.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating a database for foster child.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating a database for posting on a bulletin board.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen display example of the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen display example of the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen display example of the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a message box.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen display example of the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a message transmission processing routine in the server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Character rental system 2 Public telephone line network (communication line) 3 Mobile telephone line network (communication line) 4 Server 6 Internet 10 Portable communication terminal device (communication terminal device) 41 Display device (display unit) 60 Portable game device ( Communication terminal device) 70 Mobile phone (communication terminal device)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 342 G06F 17/60 342 506 506 ZEC ZEC H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109T 109M

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A server capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication terminal device while being connected to the communication terminal device via a communication line, comprising: a server for transmitting character data relating to a character displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal device; The authority of use is given to the communication terminal device, and the character information is supplied to the communication terminal device as the data, and the experience in the communication terminal device is reflected on the character, and The character information reflecting the experience in the communication terminal device to which the authority is given is stored in a storage area specified by a predetermined address, and the information on the stored character information is stored in the communication line. To be posted on a bulletin board accessible via the Internet and the address based on the posted information Server which is characterized in that performs the providing character information being the saved for another communication terminal apparatus for which the access, the. 2. A communication in which the stored character information is provided to another accessed communication terminal device for a predetermined period of time, and then the character information is given the right to use from the another communication terminal device. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server is returned to a terminal device. 3. A message according to claim 1, wherein a message from the communication terminal device to which said use right is given is placed on the character information provided to said another communication terminal device. server. 4. A message from the other communication terminal device, which is added to character information returned from the other communication terminal device to the communication terminal device to which the use right is given, together with the character information. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server transmits the information to a communication terminal device to which the authority of the server is given. 5. An information providing system for transmitting and receiving data between a server and a communication terminal device via a communication line and providing various information from the server to the communication terminal device, wherein a display unit of the communication terminal device The authority to use the character information relating to the character displayed on the communication terminal device is provided from the server to the communication terminal device, and the character information is supplied from the server to the communication terminal device as the data, and Is reflected in the character, and the character information reflecting the experience in the communication terminal device to which the use right is given is stored in storage means designated by a predetermined address. And information on the stored character information is accessed via the communication line. And the stored character information is provided to another communication terminal device that has accessed the address based on the posted information. An information providing system, characterized in that the information is provided. 6. After the stored character information is provided to another accessed communication terminal for a predetermined period of time, the character information is given the right to use by the other communication terminal. 6. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the information is returned to a communication terminal device. 7. The message according to claim 5, wherein the character information provided to the other communication terminal device includes a message from the communication terminal device to which the use right is given. Information system. 8. A message from the other communication terminal device added to character information returned from the other communication terminal device to the communication terminal device to which the use right has been given, together with the character information. 6. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the information is returned to the communication terminal device to which the use right is given. 9. Use of an electronic device for constructing an information providing system according to claim 5.